Boston Red Sox critic Joe West to ump series at Fenway  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Umpire Joe West will be working the Red Sox-Royals series that begins Thursday night in Fenway Park, the first time the veteran umpire will be working a Sox game since he called out the Sox and Yankees last month …

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes finds his confidence, and at the same time, his legs  —  There was no physical problem with his legs as he struggled through the opening months of the season, Jose Reyes said.  But the confidence he has always felt while running was slow to return, hampering his game.

What the heck is wrong with Tim Lincecum?  —  Tim Lincecum's career high for walks in a game is five.  —  He tied it tonight.  And by itself, that isn't so alarming.  —  Except he also tied it in his previous start, at Arizona.  And in the start before that, at home vs. the Astros.

Lohse is likely to need surgery  —  Kyle Lohse, center, struggles through the third inning in which he gave up five runs against the Angels on Saturday.  The Angels beat the Cardinals 10-7.  (David Carson/P-D)  —  SAN DIEGO — Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse is suffering …

Dodgers inquire about Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt  —  Chances of a trade are unlikely, but GM Ned Colletti says team would consider adding salary on a case-by-case basis.  —  The Dodgers have had little response from their inquiries about Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee, left, and Houston Astros starter Roy Oswalt.

Game Time … ANAHEIM, Calif. — No one in an Angels uniform felt worse than Bobby Abreu when the tying run scored in the top of the ninth, largely because he had dropped a flyball earlier.  —  No one felt better than Abreu did in the bottom half, after he atoned for his mistake with the game-ending hit.

Zaun has labrum injury, no surgery for now  —  Brewers catcher Gregg Zaun has a torn labrum in the front of his right shoulder and said he might retire if the injury lingers deep into the summer.  —  Zaun put his chances of playing this season at “50-50.”  The doctors have recommended …

Efficient Ubaldo earns ninth victory  —  Jimenez thrives for eight shutout innings without best stuff  —  DENVER — A hint of a proud swagger entered Ubaldo Jimenez's stride near the Rockies' dugout as he took in a standing ovation at the end of the eighth inning.

Strasburg's debut could come against Bucs  —  June 8-10 series tentatively planned for phenom's first start  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Nationals are tentatively planning to have right-hander Stephen Strasburg make his Major League debut against the Pirates at Nationals Park in June, according to a team source.

Pay attention to the count, baseball's hidden treasure  —  How do you watch a baseball game?  —  To enjoy the sport fully, you have to grasp the huge importance of the ball-strike count — especially the power of “strike two.”  —  The count is where the strategic heart of the game is found.